OAJ's strategy
Our strategy defines our union’s basic task, outlook and values. All of our operations are guided by the values defined by OAJ’s Council.
OAJ offers support as working life changes
→ Work and competence requirements are changing.
This also creates pressure for change in the education sector.
→ The structure of the population is changing.
Change in age distribution, urbanisation and immigration affect the work and employment of our members.
→ The values, attitudes and expectations of organisational activities are changing.
This will also force OAJ to reform.
→ The balance of public sector finance is unstable.
OAJ must constantly emphasise the importance of high-quality education, training and research, and defend adequate funding.
Our core functions
OAJ advocates the interests of its members and creates security for them as working life changes.
Our development promises
→ We strengthen the appeal and appreciation of teaching.
→ We promote the well-being of our members at work.
→ We improve interaction with our members and increase opportunities for participation.
→ We communicate in interesting ways about our work and its results.
→ We are boldly reforming into a trade union for the 2030s.
Our approach
→ We serve our members with expertise and passion.
→ As a partner, we are reliable and solution-oriented.
→ We always act according to our values: fairly, transparently and responsibly
Our vision for the future
→ Finland is the best place in the world to teach, learn and do research.
→ Every member feels that membership is an advantage.
OAJ strategy 2025–2028
Our core mission is advocacy and member service
- We advocate for our members in working life and are their common voice.
- We offer high quality service and excellent benefits – our goal is a satisfied member.
This is how we fulfil our core mission
- By negotiating on salaries, working hours and other terms of employment
- As the voice of our members, by influencing political decisions regarding their work
- By promoting the well-being and employment of our members
- By helping with questions and challenges of working life. From us, the member receives advice and legal protection related to terms of employment, as well as support of the local shop steward and association.
- By offering attractive benefits and versatile ways to participate in our activities
- By communicating about our work and its results
Values guiding our work
We develop education
- Together we build the future of competence and education. The future of both individuals and educated Finland is built on high-quality education, training, and research.
We influence bravely
- Even in difficult situations we stand persistently by our members. We make new joint openings open-mindedly and stand behind them. As influencers, the more there are of us, the stronger we are.
We innovate together
- Our community is diverse. We act with appreciation and respect for others. When we innovate and renew, we do it democratically and in accordance with common policies.
We act equitably
- We act responsibly and promote justice in our members’ everyday lives, within the organization and as part of the Finnish and global society.
Driving forces to which OAJ must respond
We anticipate, influence, and innovate with the member’s interest first
Changes in population impact on many different levels.
Shrinking age groups, regional and socio-economic differentiation, decline in learning outcomes, cultural diversity, growing need for learner support and mental health challenges affect e.g. the job requirements and employment of our members.
The challenges of public economy and short-sighted decision-making threaten the status and prestige of our field.
The deterioration of public economy endangers the employment and high-quality working conditions of our members. Short-sighted political decision-making and development of activities burdens and prevents the solving of problems. Expectations and demands on our membership are growing, and resources are not keeping up with the demands of the work. These decrease the attractiveness of the professions in the field.
The extensive working life changing trends also affect OAJ members.
OAJ must create security for its members in working life, which is affected by irregularity and uncertainty of employment relationships, diversity of career paths, skills shortage, constant need for updating skills, and the effects of digitalization and artificial intelligence on work, employment, and skill requirements.
The status of trade unions and joining membership are no longer self-evident.
Being a member of a trade union is not evident to everyone, and expectations towards the organization are growing. The position of trade unions is challenged more strongly politically and in the social debate. OAJ must also find new ways to create a feeling to members that membership is worthwhile.
We must succeed in these:
- strengthen our position as a negotiator
- improve the resources and quality of education, training, and research
- increase the attractiveness of membership
Our vision for the future
- OAJ is a strong and influential community whose membership is worthwhile
- Together we make Finland a better place to teach, learn and research
Trade Union of Education in Finland (OAJ)
→ OAJ is a union for education, training and research professionals. We support our members and implement the union’s strategy throughout the country – in every municipality and every workplace.
→ We operate democratically and seek to promote diversity.
Our Members
→ By members we mean all our current members, regardless of their place of work or job, as well as our student teachers and senior members.
We look to the future
→ We listen and pay attention to potential new members in our actions and as we reform as a union.